Video Demo - Lace Sensors Hot Gold - Strat

[Narcoleptigon]

So, we are hearing the amp/cabs directly, like we are listening to them in the room, as opposed to in a studio through mics. Cool. I never really tried that option with modelers. BTW Teletarr, these are digital models, not solid state. Solid state would be something like a Tech 21 unit, where the emulation is done with transistor circuitry. Digital modeling is done in software.

[Teleterr]

Originally Posted by Narcoleptigon

So, we are hearing the amp/cabs directly, like we are listening to them in the room, as opposed to in a studio through mics. Cool. I never really tried that option with modelers. BTW Teleterr, these are digital models, not solid state. Solid state would be something like a Tech 21 unit, where the emulation is done with transistor circuitry. Digital modeling is done in software.

Oh, that is a big difference,in terms of how the distortion or tube ambience is created.The interface beteen the p/up and the input for the device would be the only SS factor and it seems that shouldn't matter too much.When I've use opamp preamps w tubes, I do notice that normal p/ups sound more EMG like, but thats the low into high Z factor which isn't the same w the demo.

[Phostenix]

The input impedence of the Axe-FX II can be set to one of 12 values or set to Auto. I leave it in auto. When set to auto, it will change to match the amp or effect that is first in the chain.

I've attached a pic of the choices.

[Phostenix]

Just to get an idea of what the Axe is like to use, here's a screen shot of 1 of the basic amp settings for the patch I used (this is the software that can be used to edit patches instead of using the front panel of the unit).

There are 6 pages of settings for the amps. This box can be as simple or as crazy complicated as you want it to be.

[Phostenix]

Here's a shot of the basic speaker cabinet block settings.

[Phostenix]

Originally Posted by Narcoleptigon

So, we are hearing the amp/cabs directly, like we are listening to them in the room, as opposed to in a studio through mics. Cool.

The impluse responses (IRs) of the real speaker cabinets are done with a microphone of some sort. It could be anything from a dead flat reference mic to an SM57. The stock IRs in the Axe don't tell you what mic was used to make them. If you buy custom IRs from RedWirez or OwnHammer, they will tell you what mic was used.

I just leave the virtual mic off in the Axe for clean amps. I have found some changes I like by using a virtual mic with higher gain amp sounds.

I'm just starting to scratch the surface of this unit.

[Doug 54]

LAce win

[1962guitargeek]

good job...made me assemble a spare guitar with a set I had lying around....2 thumbs up!!


Thanks

[Narcoleptigon]

I notice the Amp block has a "Speaker" page. If it has it's own built in speaker, isn't it running through the cab that's next in the signal chain?

[Phostenix]

Originally Posted by 1962guitargeek

good job...made me assemble a spare guitar with a set I had lying around....2 thumbs up!!


Thanks

Strat or Tele? What do you think of the Hot Golds?

[Phostenix]

Originally Posted by Narcoleptigon

I notice the Amp block has a "Speaker" page. If it has it's own built in speaker, isn't it running through the cab that's next in the signal chain?

The Speaker tab of the amp block is for setting interaction between the power amp & the virtual speaker. Like I said, this box can get crazy complex if you want. You set the resonant frequencies & Qs on the Speaker tab. I left them at their default settings.

[Narcoleptigon]

I could be wrong, but I think those are just the parameters of a default speaker that comes with the amp sim module, in case you don't want to use a separate Cab. Over on the lower right, you have the bypass mode set to "THRU", which I guess means it's bypassed. I wonder if the Speaker module does actually have some interaction with the amp? That is a missing factor in many amp sims, but a good sounding responsive speaker algorithm sounds good regardless of whether it alters amp response like a real speaker does.

[Phostenix]

No, you're wrong. :) If you don't use a speaker cab block, there is no modeled speaker. You use the speaker tab of the amp block to tweak the interaction with the speaker cab.

The bypass mode sets what happens if you bypass the block. THRU means the audio will pass through the block if it is bypassed. You can choose MUTE or one other choice that I don't recall right now.

[Narcoleptigon]

Ah, so I guess it does simulate to some extent how a speaker's varying impedance creates more distortion at certain frequencies? I imagine it's independent of the CAB IR.

That's the thing about these amp sims. You can get really lost in tweaking. Sometimes less options is better. I've spent hours optimizing mic placements. It gets that much more complicated with 2, or more cabs. I never use more than 2 amps and/or 2 cabs. Too hairy.

[Phostenix]

The nice thing about the Axe is that all of those parameters are there to adjust, but you don't have to mess with them to get a good sound. All I did was choose a couple of speaker cabs. I didn't even change the tone controls from 12 o'clock.

[1962guitargeek]

Originally Posted by Phostenix

Strat or Tele? What do you think of the Hot Golds?

a strat. I had a wired pickguard I planned on building a new guitar for several years ago. I loved them then, just got the tele bug bad and put my strats on hold for a while.

Your video reminded me how nice they were, so I did the deed. they are great pups IMO, and I think they are what the Golds should have been. I love the chime and they "quack" they have. Great for Dire Straits sounds.

Btw, I have the hot bridge also (13k)

Great pups at any price.

[Phostenix]

I didn't make any recordings, but at one point I had the regular Golds in the neck & middle on this guitar with a Silver bridge. I now have Hot Golds in the neck & middle with the Silver in the bridge. This current setup sounds far better than I remember the standard Golds sounding.

I'm still considering picking up another 6k Hot Gold to try in the bridge. How do you like the 13k bridge pup?

[1962guitargeek]

Originally Posted by Phostenix

I didn't make any recordings, but at one point I had the regular Golds in the neck & middle on this guitar with a Silver bridge. I now have Hot Golds in the neck & middle with the Silver in the bridge. This current setup sounds far better than I remember the standard Golds sounding.

I'm still considering picking up another 6k Hot Gold to try in the bridge. How do you like the 13k bridge pup?

fits my needs like a glove, but I still want to try a 6k too. I haven't found it to be to "much" or overpowering yet.

I am cursed to tinker and try to improve things....[whistling, walking]

[Phostenix]

Originally Posted by 1962guitargeek

I haven't found it to be to "much" or overpowering yet.

I liked the fatness of the 13K bridge pup, I just wanted it to be a little brighter. The usual tradeoffs. :)

[1962guitargeek]

Originally Posted by Phostenix

I liked the fatness of the 13K bridge pup, I just wanted it to be a little brighter. The usual tradeoffs. :)

try some 500k pots...?